Potential Stranding

Potential Stranding incidents are, as the name implies, incidents where NCI watchkeepers reported to the Coastguard situations where members of the public were likely to be stranded and consequently might be in danger if they tried to cross a flooded causeway. Such incidents fall basically into two types. In the first, despite the danger that is implied, members of the public choose to wade across the causeway and are monitored by NCI and/or the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team. The second type involves members of the public (usually fishermen) who have chosen to wait on Worm's Head over the tide but have not informed NCI watchkeepers.

025 21 October 2018 Potential stranding of two persons024 10 August 2018 Potential stranding of two persons023 02 October 2017 Potential stranding of two persons022 18 July 2016 Potential stranding of six persons021 05 April 2016 Potential stranding of two persons020 07 April 2015 Potential stranding of four persons019 27 September 2014 Potential stranding of four persons018 19 August 2014 Fishermen attempting to wade across causeway017 18 May 2014 Potential stranding of two persons016 18 May 2014 Potential stranding of three persons015 27 March 2014 Potential stranding of three persons014 30 September 2013 Potential stranding of three people.013 22 June 2013. Potential stranding of six people on Worm's Head.012 08 June 2013. Potential stranding of three people on Worm’s Head.011 27 October 2013 Potential Stranding of two people.010 19 August 2012. Possible stranding of 5 people on Worm's Head.009 14 May 2011 People cut off by tide (false alarm)008 22 April 2011. Potential stranding. Two people.007 19 March 2011. Potential stranding. Two people.006 17 March 2011. Potential stranding, one person.005 28 March 2010 Potential Stranding004 07 August 2010. Potential stranding of 6 people.003 22 June 2010. Stranding prevented - two people.002 20 February 2009. Stranding prevented - two people001 11 May 2008. Fishermen prevented from drowning.

02521 October 2018 Potential stranding of two personstop Just before the causeway was about to close, watchkeepers saw two persons heading out on Worm's Head. A siren was deployed with no response. The causeway closed and shortly after the two persons were seen to be heading back to the causeway. The siren was again deployed with again no response. The Coastguard was informed. After a short while, the two persons entered the water and swam across to reach the mainland safely. Burry Port ILB, which had been tasked to attend was stood down. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on site and gave the two persons a safety talk.

02410 August 2018 Potential stranding of two personstop Two persons were seen on Worm's Head after the causeway had closed. The Coastguard was informed and watchkeepers were asked to monitor the situation. The Coastguard phoned back to report that the Coastguard Rescue Team would be in attendance. They arrived shortly after. Burry Port ILB were tasked to attend and arrived to put a crew member ashore on the island. They discovered that the two persons intended to fish and camp overnight on Worm's Head. The CRT stood down as did the ILB after collecting the crew member from the island.

02302 October 2017 Potential stranding of two personstop Watchkeepers observed two persons moving out towards Worm's Head when the causeway was due to close in twenty minutes. The warning siren was deployed but ignored.The Coastguard was advised and asked that watchkeepers monitor the situation. The two people started to return but not before the causway started to flood. The siren was used again to alert the two people and a 999 call made to the Coastguard. The people were seen entering the water to wade back to the mainland, one slipping underwater in the process. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team had been paged and arrived on scene. The two people arrived safely back on the mainland.

02218 July 2016 Potential stranding of six personstop Watchkeepers deployed the siren to warn persons on Low Neck just 10 minutes before the Causeway was due to flood. They also contacted the Sea Serpent, which was in the area. A message came back from the Sea Serpent to say that there were six persons on the Worm, including two surfers. Milford Haven Coastguard were informed that four of the persons were now visible and that the Causeway was flooding. Horton ILB were tasked to attend. One of the watchkeepers used the megaphone to give instructions to the four persons to stay on the Worm but these instructions were ignored and the they paddled back across the causeway. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team were on scene and spoke to the paddlers. Subsequently, the surfers appeared and paddled across to the mainland using their boards. A final check was made by Horton ILB to ensure that no other persons were left on the island.

021 05 April 2016 Potential stranding of two personstop Duty watchkeepers observed tow people on Worm's Head when the tide was already flooding the causeway. Milford Haven Coastguard were informed and the siren sounded to warn the people to return immediately to the mainland. A second call was made to the Coastguard advising them that Horton ILB may be required to evacuate the potentially stranded people. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to attend and arrived on scene. The two people were observed to wade across the flooded causeway. The Coastguard were informed. On arrival on the mainland, the two people were interviewed by the Rhossili Team. Horton ILB which was now on scene, checked Worm's Head to ensure there were no further stranded persons on the island.

020 07 April 2015 Potential stranding of four persontop With thick fog prevailing and closure of the causeway approaching, two returning surfers were asked by watchkeepers if they had seen any other persons out on Worm's Head. They reported that a family of four were just going out. Shortly after, Milford Haven contacted the watchkeepers on channel 0 to report that there were people on the Worm who were having difficulty in the fog. The Coastguard was informed that the watchkeepers were aware that a family was on the crossing, that there was still time for them to cross back safely, that watchkeepers would investigate and report back. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to attend. Subsequently, watchkeepers informed Milford Haven that surfers had now shouted down from the cliff path to the potential casualties who were nearly back on the mainland. The family arrived on the cliff top as the Rhossili CG team arrived. The family said that it was they that had called the Coastguard when they became disoriented in the fog.

019 27 September 2014 Potential stranding of four personstop After the causeway to Worm's Head had flooded, watchkeepers observed a man, accompanied by a white dog, on top of the inner head, stopped at the eastern edge of the ridge. Swansea Coastguard were informed. A short time later the man was observed to be walking westwards along the ridge away from the causeway. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team were paged for a possible stranding and arrived on scene shortly after. Some time later, Horton ILB arrived on scene, circling Worm's Head. The lifeboat reported a total of four persons and two tents out of sight on the far side of the Inner Head. These persons acknowledged the lifeboat but indicated that rescue was not required.

018 19 August 2014 Fishermen attempting to wade across causewaytop Watchkeepers observed a fisherman trying to cross the causeway over an hour before it was due to open. The loudhailer was deployed to try to dissuade him with no success. Swansea Coastguard were alerted. The fisherman continued to try to cross, waist deep and staggering. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on scene whereupon the fisherman climbed onto a rock and started fishing. Horton ILB were now also on scene and were informed by the now two fishermen that no assistance was required. The ILB and the Rescue Team stood down. Eventually the fishermen waded waist deep to cross the causeway safely. Both were interviewed by NCI, acknowledging their foolish behaviour and apologising.

017 11 August 2014 Potential stranding of two personstop Watchkeepers observed two members of the public making for the outer section of Worm's Head. There was just 20 minutes before the causeway was due to flood and so Swansea Coastguard were warned of the potential problem. Some time later the two were seen to be making their way back but not before the causeway started to flood. The watchkeepers contacted the Coastguard again to report that the two members of the public were now running back. Contact with the Coastguard was maintained as the stranded two waded back safely. Swansea Coastguard tasked members of the Coastguard Rescue Team to meet the two for a safety talk.

016 18 May 2014 Potential stranding of three personstopThree members of the public were seen moving outwards on the Inner Head thirty minutes before the Causway was due to flood. Watchkeepers deployed the warning siren but the people were seen to have crossed Low Neck heading further out onto Worm's Head. Swansea Coastguard were informed and the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on the scene. One person returned across the Causeway and eventually , after the Causeway had started to flood, the remaining two waded back through knee deep water.No medical help was required.

015 27 March 2014 Potential stranding of three persons.topThree Japanese members of the public were observed crossing to Worm’s Head just fifteen minutes before the Causeway was due to flood. The duty watchkeepers sounded a warning using the siren and also informed the Coastguard. Shortly after the three people were seen to have reached Worm’s Head and this time both the siren and loud hailer were employed to try to get the three to return to the mainland. The Coastguard was updated.The Causeway flooded on time with the three still on Worm’s Head. The Coastguard was updated again and asked that the landline be kept open for further updates. At this point the three people were observed wading through knee deep water to reach the mainland. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was now on scene and interviewed the three but determined that no medical help was required.

014 30 September 2013 Potential Stranding of Three PeopletopWith the Causeway already partially flooded, watchkeepers observed two people on the causeway between the island and the flooded crossing point. A third person, a runner, was sighted at Low Neck. Swansea Coastguard was alerted. The first two people paddled across to the mainland, monitored by one of the watchkeepers from the cliff edge. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked by the Coastguard to attend the incident. The third person approached the crossing point and a running commentary was given by NCI to the Coastguard as he waded across to the mainland. Watchkeepers confirmed that all three persons were now safe. The Rescue Team arrived on scene with instructions to talk to the three persons.

01322 June 2013. Potential stranding of six people on Worm's Head.topOver an hour after the rocky causeway to Worm’s Head was flooded several people were seen on the tidal island. The weather was poor with gale force wind, moderate visibility and squally showers. The watch keepers informed Swansea Coastguard and the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) was tasked. On arrival a member of the team used the telescope in the lookout and determined that there were four fishermen and two visitors - the latter probably stranded. The CRT requested that aRAF search and rescue helicopterbe called. However, the CRT was informed that the helicopter would be delayed while it refuelled after an exercise. After about half an hour the Chivenor based SAR helicopter, Rescue 169, arrived and circled the Worm. The crew reported they were satisfied that all the people were fishermen and that no-one was in distress. Rescue 169 and the CRT left the scene.

012 08 June 2013. Potential stranding of three people on Worm’s Head.topShortly after the rocky causeway flooded, three people were observed walking round the southern side of the inner head away from the mainland. The air horn was sounded five times but, although one person seemed to react by turning to look back, they all carried on walking towards the outer head. Swansea Coastguard was informed about the three people, and also about two people with fishing gear seen heading out onto the Worm earlier. There was regular telephone communication with the coastguard as the incident developed. The coastguard was informed when the three people returned and then paddled across the flooded causeway before they could be stopped. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was on scene until satisfied that all the people were considered to be out of danger.

01127 October 2012. Potential stranding of two people on Worm’s Head.topTwo persons were seen on the Inner Head sitting by the Emergency Bell. The megaphone, siren and air horn were deployed as flooding of the causeway was imminent. Swansea Coastguard was alerted to the situation by telephone and subsequently advised by ‘999’ call that the two people seemed to be in difficulty on a rock in the middle of the causeway. A few minutes later the Coastguard were updated that the couple were now out of danger, having paddled to the mainland. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on scene and went to talk to the two people.

010 19 August 2012. Possible stranding of 5 people on Worm's Head.topSome people were spotted sitting on shingle under the cliffs on Worms Head after the crossing had flooded. The loud hailer was used but there was no reaction. Swansea Coastguard was informed andBurry Port Inshore Lifeboat (ILB)was tasked as it was already in Rhossili Bay following another incident. The ILB arrived at the Worm and reported to the Coastguard, who informed NCI, that 5 fishermen were staying out on the Worm over the tide. They had not reported to the lookout prior to crossing over.

00914 May 2011 People cut off by tide (false alarm).topA member of the public reported to the watchkeepers that she had seen at least two persons, possibly more, on the shoreline in the region of Lewis Castle and who appeared to be cut off from the beach. It appeared also that they were shouting. NCI informed Swansea Coastguard who tasked Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team. Shortly after the Rescue Team were on the scene and reported that there was activity in the area but nobody appeared to be in trouble. The Rescue Team was stood down.

00822 April 2011 Potential stranding. Two people.topTwo men in their 20s were advised by the watch keepers that it was “too late to cross” to Worms Head. They replied - “we'll only have a look”. The men were sighted on the seaward side of crossing. The siren was sounded as a warning but there was no response. Swansea Coastguard was informed. The crossing flooded and later the two men were sighted on top of the Inner Head. An update was passed to the Coastguard who asked the watch keepers to stay on duty to monitor the situation. Subsequently, the two men waded back to the mainland, taking photographs of each other. The Coastguard was notified and the incident was closed.

00719 March 2011. Potential stranding. Two people.topTwo people were seen on the outer head near the time the crossing was due to flood. In the event, the flooding was 20 minutes later than predicted but the two people still hadn’t left the inner head. Swansea Coastguard was informed. A warning was given by siren. Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) was paged by Coastguard. The two men waded across knee-deep. CRT on site, CG informed that men had crossed. The CRT interviewed the men and then left the scene. The men were embarrassed but said they had seen two fishermen (not visible from lookout) and had imagined they would be OK. They had approached the crossing on their way out without passing any of the warning notices.

00617 March 2011. Potential stranding, one person.topA person was seen on the outer head of Worm’s Head 15 minutes before the crossing was due to flood. Swansea Coastguard was informed and they asked to be kept informed. Two attempts were made to attract the man’s attention using the siren. To try and stop the man going into the water a verbal warning was given but he waded across anyway. Swansea Coastguard was informed and the incident closed. The Korean man subsequently apologised; he had misread the tidal information on internet.

005March 2010 Potential stranding of three peopletopWatchkeepers employed the siren to warn three members of the public on the top ridge of the Inner Head that closure of the causeway was imminent. Swansea Coastguard were informed. The three started back and the Coastguard directed the watchkeepers to use the siren again to recommend that the three make haste. They responded but slowly and as the causeway had now flooded, they had to paddle back to the mainland. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on scene and spoke to the three people.

004 08 August 2010 Potential stranding of 6 peopletopSwansea Coastguard were informed that there were six people still on Worms Head ten minutes before the predicted flooding time of the crossing and that rescue might be required. The Coastguard telephoned for an update on the position of the people and were advised that they were approaching the start of the crossing. During a further update the Coastguard informed the watch keepers that Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) had been tasked as hadHorton and Port Eynon Inshore Lifeboat (ILB).The CRT arrived on scene and the members were able to monitor the people wading back to the mainland. The ILB was advised to return to station. The CRT interviewed the people (American and French students) and then stood down.

00322 June 2010. Stranding prevented - two people.topSwansea Coastguard were made aware by landline that there were two men on the Worm (Inner Head) and the crossing was due to flood in five minutes. Simultaneously, a watch keeper used the loud hailer to try and attract their attention. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) arrived on scene by which time the men were slowly making their way towards the mainland. The crossing flooded five minutes later than predicted and one of the men crossed. The second man stayed on the Worms Head side for a few minutes and then waded across. The Rhossili CRT was happy no one else was in danger and departed.

00220 February 2009. Stranding prevented - two people.topTwo people were seen walking towards the inner head with only 15 minutes remaining before the crossing flooded. The loud hailer was used to try to attract their attention while the Coastguard was informed. Second attempt with the loud hailer was successful and the people headed back towards the mainland. The Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team was on station but the couple crossed safely.

00111 May 2008. Fishermen prevented from drowning.topThree fishermen were seen attempting to cross from the Worm when the crossing was still flooded. The Coastguard was informed and the Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team deployed.The Horton and Port Eynon ILBwas launched. A watch keeper using a loud hailer advised the fishermen to stay where they were. Due to the state of the tide, the ILB was unable to get close to the men so a crew member entered the water and went across to advise them to remain until the tide fell. The ILB and Rescue Team were stood down. The fishermen waded across in spite of further advice from the NCI watch keeper.